A micro device for measuring single-cell membrane specific capacitance and cytoplasm conductivity

This paper presents a micro device using micro electrical impedance spectroscopy (μEIS) to extract single-cell membrane specific capacitance and cytoplasm conductivity. Single cells were aspirated and stopped inside a wedge-shaped constriction channel where their impedance profiles were recorded by an impedance analyzer. An equivalent circuit model was developed to extract cell electrical parameters from the measured impedance profiles. The system was applied to quantify membrane specific capacitance (4.48±1.17 μF/cm
²
, n=11) and cytoplasm conductivity (0.59±0.33 S/m, n=11) of PAVICs (porcine aortic valve interstitial cells).